CO Data

Fashion’s Polybag Addiction: Drowning In Plastic

Polybags are fashion's dirty little secret, with half a billion of them produced and thrown away each year.

Single-use plastic weighing the equivalent of 80,000 elephants is thrown away by the fashion industry each year in the form of polybags alone.

Most of these protective polybags are not recycled and end up in landfill. 

Whilst potentially more sustainable options are emerging, including recycled and recyclable, bio-plastics and compostable alternatives, these face practical challenges in both waste collection streams and access to suitable facilities for processing. 

This article summarises f…

Become a PRO Member to access this page

PRO members can access premium content and training, attend exclusive members events, and much more. Unlock resources and tools to help you do fashion better.

Find out more
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest
Author
Clare Lissaman

Head of Oxfam Advisory Services at Oxfam and 3 others

Notices from our PRO members